Illiano’s in Old Lyme closes

Partners plan new restaurant in the months ahead

Old Lyme — After nearly 20 years, Illiano’s restaurant on Boston Post Road has closed up shop, but plans are to provide an updated experience for diners in the months ahead.

“It’s been a long ride; it’s been a good time,” said Illiano’s partner Roberto Schiano.

But now, he said, “The place needs to be updated. ... We need to spiff it up.”

Schiano said the restaurant, which had been rebranded as Joey’s by Illiano’s after it was sold by Schiano and his partner Paul Illiano to a business associate, simply couldn’t make it as a large pizza restaurant in the current environment. The Illiano’s partners now have taken over the location, he said, and plan a new restaurant concept in the near future.

Schiano effected a similar turnaround at Illiano’s in New London, where he took an outdated formula and turned it into a hipper and more varied restaurant now known as Paesano’s Pizza Bar & Bistro by Illiano’s. He spent two months creating a new lounge area, adding a bar menu and lowering some of his prices.

Schiano wouldn’t reveal exactly what the new concept in Old Lyme will entail, saying he wanted it to remain a surprise until it’s finished, perhaps by next spring.

“I want it to be new, like we did in NewLondon,” Schiano said.

The first Illiano’s opened in 1995 on Broad Street in Waterford. It grew to encompass a total of eight locations: two in Middletown and one each in Meriden, Colchester, Norwich, Old Lyme, East Lyme and New London.